Translated Chapter
221. The Mask, the Path
When Wade Gray arrived once more, the crimson glow of the firelight flickered across the room, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch and writhe like living things. The air was thick with tension, and even the ancient books on the shelves appeared to hold their breath. Everyone in the room—Hermione, Neville, Theo, Liam, and the others—stared at the masked figure, their faces pale with worry.
Wade stood at the edge of the room, his expression unreadable. He studied the room carefully, lingering on the details—the flickering candlelight, the dusty shelves, the worn stone floor. His gaze swept over the familiar faces, searching for anything out of place, anything that might explain the sudden unease.
Quirrell was among them, his presence as unsettling as ever. The man’s wide, nervous eyes darted about, and his fingers twitched at his sides. He had been the one to bring the news—the latest update from the Ministry.
“Wade Gray,” Quirrell said quietly, his voice strained, “I’ve just received a message. The Ministry is aware of the Mask’s appearance. They’ve confirmed the sightings.”
Wade blinked. “They know about the mask?”
Quirrell nodded. “They’re tracking it. They believe it’s tied to the Path—the ancient ritual.”
Wade exhaled sharply. “So they’re not dismissing it.”
“No,” Quirrell said. “And they’re asking for help.”
Wade turned to Hermione. “Did you hear that?”
She looked pale. “Yes. But… they’re not just asking for help. They’re asking us to find the mask before it’s used.”
Wade frowned. “And if it’s already been used?”
Hermione swallowed. “Then it’s too late.”
The room fell silent. The fire crackled.
Wade stepped forward, his voice low but firm. “Then we don’t have time to wait. We need to act now.”
Quirrell hesitated. “But what if the mask… what if it’s already been activated?”
Wade’s eyes narrowed. “Then we’ll have to stop it before it spreads. We’ll need to find the ritual site.”
Hermione nodded. “We’ve been tracking the locations where the mask has appeared. There’s a pattern—each time it shows up, it’s near a place of great magical power.”
Neville spoke up. “Like the old observatory… or the ruins beneath the Forbidden Forest.”
Theo added, “Or the abandoned chamber beneath the library.”
Wade looked at them all. “Then we start there. We’ll go to the library first.”
Liam frowned. “But what if they’re already there?”
Wade met his gaze. “Then we’ll be ready.”
The group moved toward the door, their steps quiet but purposeful.
Outside, the night was cold and still. The stars above were obscured by thick clouds.
As they walked, Wade glanced back at the building. The firelight still flickered in the windows.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was watching.
And then, from somewhere deep within the shadows, a whisper echoed—soft, almost imperceptible.
“The Path is open.”
Wade stopped.
Hermione turned. “What was that?”
He didn’t answer.
He just stared into the dark.
And in that moment, he knew—this was only the beginning.
(End of Chapter)
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